Author
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Ferkovich, Stephen |
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Shapiro, Jeffrey |
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Submitted to: Symposium Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only Publication Acceptance Date: 5/4/2002 Publication Date: N/A Citation: N/A Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: We investigated improving the fecundity of Orius insidiosus (Say) reared on an insect-free artificial diet by isolating and identifying fecundity-promoting substances from both whole eggs and an egg-derived insect cell line (PIE) from Plodia interpunctella (Hiiebner). Diets were compared against whole prey (standard) and basal diet (control). Cells were grown in traditional spinner flask culture using serumsupplemented Graces modified medium washed and 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5 ml pellets were each added to 1 ml of diet. Homogenized eggs or insect cells produced from an embryonic cell line (PIE) in vitro were analyzed by preparative analytical techniques. The resultant fractions were bioassayed for fecundity promoting activity by rearing the predator on artificial diet supplemented with the fractions. The rate of oviposition was stimulated significantly in three fractions from the PIE cells each containing 6 and 7 ,ug protein/ml diet. Two fractions containing (3 ,ug and 11 ug/ml of diet) from homogenized eggs of P. interpunctella and one fraction from homogenized eggs of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller (4 ug/ml diet) were active. These concentrations are 3500 X lower than the concentration of beef liver protein, a common component of meat-based diets for predators needed to significantly improve the rate of oviposition. Further purification and identification of the fecundity-promoting material from both insect eggs and the cell line are being conducted. |
